USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

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Under a joint arrangement made by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (APHIS VS) and 

the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), non-bovine ruminant animals of U.S. 

origin may directly transit Canada without stopping (except for feed, water, or rest 

purposes) while moving between points in the U.S. Such consignments must comply with 

APHIS’ conditions for re-entry to the U.S.; with CFIA requirements and oversight for 

any applicable feed, water, and rest stops in Canada; and with CFIA’s import health 

requirements for livestock entering Canada. This guidance outlines APHIS and CFIA 

requirements for such movements. 

This protocol may also be used for similar movements of other livestock-type animals 

(on a case-by-case basis) traveling as personal pets, and which may directly transit 

Canada without stopping (except for feed, water, or rest purposes); provided that any 

additional certifications or documents that may be required by either Canada or the U.S. 

state of re-entry are clearly referenced on the APHIS permit and/or CFIA import permit. 

NOTE: Applications for shipments to move under this protocol will be evaluated on a 

case-by-case basis, and will be approved subject to the ability of a shipment to meet the 

criteria in this document and the availability of the necessary CFIA resources. It is 

important that importers/brokers contact CFIA with details of their itinerary well in 

advance of a proposed shipment, to ensure that all necessary arrangements can be 

adequately made. 

I. Roles and Responsibilities 

A. U.S. Applicants (typically an applicant is an ‘importer’, who may be the person 

receiving the animals in the U.S. after re-entry; the applicant may also person 

sending the consignment): The Applicant is responsible for obtaining all 

necessary permits and documentation, and making adequate financial 

arrangements, in advance of a shipment. Typically, the steps to be followed by the 

applicant consist of: 

1. Obtaining an APHIS permit (completed VS Form 17-135, “United States

Permit to Import” ) from the:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Veterinary Services

National Center for Import and Export Unit 39

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Telephone: (301) 851-3300
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

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Facsimile: (301) 734-4704 

Email: VS-Live.Animals_Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov 

An application form (VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit 

Permit,”) for the permit can be obtained by emailing, writing, or telephoning 

the National Center for Import Export (NCIE), or by downloading it from the 

APHIS Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/forms.shtml. 

Permits are required by APHIS to ensure adequate VS personnel are available 

for inspection and the release of the shipment upon re-entering the United 

States. [NOTE: The applicant must provide the contact information of any 

proposed non-VS personnel that might be responsible for seal and ID 

verification at the destination location to NCIE when applying for a permit. 

See section III.B below.] 

2. Contacting State authorities in the U.S. receiving state for a state import 

permit (if applicable). A list of state veterinarians can be found at the 

following website: 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/downlo

ads/state_vet.pdf 

3. Obtaining a U.S. Origin Health Certificate to accompany the animals 

transiting Canada and re-entering the U.S. 

4. Arranging with and seeking acknowledgment from VS (in advance of the 

shipment) to provide any services needed at an approved feed, water, and 

rest (FWR) station while animals are moving within the United States 

(prior to leaving or after re-entering, as applicable). 

5. Contacting the APHIS VS Port Veterinarian in the receiving state at least 

one week in advance to arrange (and pay) for any services to be provided 

by VS upon re-entry to the United States. VS must also be contacted 72 

hrs prior to arrival in a receiving state to confirm that the consignment will 

arrive at the specified time and location. The applicant must provide the 

Port Veterinarian with the name of the driver, the estimated time of 

arrival, company name (if applicable), license plate and trailer plate 

number for the conveyance. 

6. Obtaining an import permit from CFIA to transit Canada. The reported 

turnaround time is 5-10 business days for permit issuance from CFIA. 

[NOTE: the Applicant, if not a resident of Canada, must enlist the services 

of a broker for this process]. The Applicant should not apply for the CFIA 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

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permit until the APHIS permit and any applicable state permits have been 

obtained. Additional information can be found at: 

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/perme.shtml 

a. If a FWR stop in Canada is required, the Applicant should consult with 

CFIA in identifying a Canadian FWR station. The station must be 

inspected and approved by CFIA prior to applying for either the APHIS 

permit or the CFIA import permit. The station may be a specific facility 

where the animals are offloaded, or it may be a location where the 

transport vehicles can be stopped and the animals fed, watered, and 

rested while remaining inside the vehicle, provided that, to the 

satisfaction of CFIA, there is adequate room in the vehicle to do so.

b. For movements either way between Alaska and the lower 48 states, 

FWR stops in Canada must be within 100 km of Dawson Creek, British 

Columbia or Grand Prairie, Alberta. The FWR stations must be 

inspected for each shipment, unless utilized more than once on the same 

day by the same Applicant. 

c. The Applicant (or shipper) will be responsible for making 

arrangements for providing the feed and bedding necessary for this 

shipment.

d. The Applicant must also consult with CFIA concerning emergency 

contingency plans for emergency offloading or otherwise dealing with 

transportation or animal health issues/emergencies en route. The route 

of travel should also be documented and communicated to CFIA prior to 

embarkation. CFIA may prescribe the route to be taken by the shipper.

e. The Applicant must contact CFIA prior to shipment (3 full business 

days in advance) to confirm the time of arrival for inspection by a 

Canadian federal inspector at the point of Canadian entry and the time 

of arrival at the approved FWR station. 

f. Animals must meet CFIA requirements for importation into Canada; 

further information about these requirements may be found at: 

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml#. The CFIA import 

permit should identify the requirements.

7. Paying in advance (or by other arrangements as approved by APHIS) for 

permits and all anticipated services to be provided by APHIS VS. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

4

B. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (or Canadian Border Services Agency acting 

on behalf of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) is responsible for: 

1. Providing all health certification requirements for animals transiting 

Canada. 

2. Issuing an import permit, once the feed, water and rest arrangements are 

approved, as applicable 

3. Issuing licenses to transport the animals between the port of entry into 

Canada, the approved FWR station, and the port of exit from Canada. 

4. Sealing the vehicles used and recording seal information on the CFIA 

license to transport the imported animals from the port of entry directly to 

approved rest stops; and for unsealing/re-sealing vehicles as needed at the 

approved rest stops. 

C. APHIS Veterinary Services is responsible for: 

1. Endorsing origin health certificates for shipments transiting through 

Canada. Certificates must be issued by an APHIS-accredited veterinarian 

and endorsed by Veterinary Services in the state where the animals 

originate. 

2. Providing additional or technical assistance regarding import/export 

regulations. 

3. Reviewing the Applicant’s proposed FWR arrangements (if needed prior 

to leaving or re-entering the U.S.) for approval. 

4. Issuing an APHIS permit if all necessary arrangements are considered 

adequate. 

5. Notifying the CBP Agricultural Specialist (or other contact as designated 

by CBP) of the incoming shipment, after confirmation of the arrival time 

by the permit holder; and will provide CBP with the conditions for 

allowing re-entry. The Port Veterinarian (or AVIC) will also provide CBP
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

5

with the name of the driver, the estimated time of arrival, company name 

(if applicable), license plate and trailer plate number for the conveyance. 

6. Inspecting shipments covered under this protocol and ascertaining that 

CFIA seals are intact and the animals are fit for entry. For animals reentering the U.S. at a port staffed in normal circumstances only by CBP 

(and not by VS; such as Alaska land ports), by prior arrangement, 

inspection will occur EITHER at the port (by a VS veterinarian who 

specially travels to the port for the purpose) OR at the destination premises 

at the time of arrival of the shipment or at a later time. If a later inspection 

is arranged, the shipment will be met at the destination premises by VSdesignated personnel, who will verify whether the CFIA seals are intact 

and the animals are properly identified, and will immediately bring any 

discrepancies to the attention of the VS Area Veterinarian-in-Charge in 

whose Area the destination premises are located. 

7. Charging User Fees for services provided under this protocol prior to 

leaving the U.S. and in association with the animals' return. 

 D. Customs and Border Protection (note: communications between CBP and VS will 

be made on a local basis at ports of entry for animals imported under this protocol. The 

VS Area Veterinarian-in-Charge for the state where a port is located will contact CBP 

using established contact information, and will provide CBP with appropriate VS contact 

information.) 

1. At ports of re-entry that are normally staffed by both CBP and VS: 

Notifying VS of incoming shipments covered by this protocol that the shipment is 

available for inspection. 

2. At ports of re-entry to the United States that are not normally staffed by 

both CBP and VS (after notification by VS of a shipment arriving under this 

protocol): Confirming that CFIA seals are intact and that an APHIS permit is 

present for shipments that have been notified to CBP by VS as incoming under 

this protocol. 

a. For shipments with intact CFIA seals and accompanied by both a valid 

APHIS permit and a valid CFIA import permit, CBP will allow the 

shipment to re-enter the U.S. for inspection by VS at the destination 

premises. CBP form 7512B, United States – Canada Transit Manifest 

should be filed. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

6

b. For shipments that do not have intact CFIA seals and are not 

accompanied by both a valid APHIS permit and a CFIA import permit, 

CBP will refuse entry and notify the VS using contact numbers provided 

by VS; OR (if holding space is available) will hold the shipment and 

notify VS using contact numbers provided by VS. No additional forms 

need to be filed for such refusals. 

II. Procedures while in-transit through Canada 

A. When the shipment arrives for inspection at the first port of entry into Canada, 

CFIA will seal the shipment and conduct a visual inspection. Any animals that 

are ill, dead, or otherwise considered unfit for travel through Canada by CFIA 

will be refused entry. 

B. The shipment must proceed after entry inspection under seal and license directly 

from the port of entry to the CFIA-approved rest stop. An inspector designated 

under the Health of Animals Act will be present to unseal the truck (if necessary) 

to allow for the animals to be rested, fed, and watered as required, or observe the 

administration of this requirement in the stationary conveyance according to 

CFIA regulations and approval. 

C. At the time of exit from the rest stop, the animals must proceed under license and 

Canadian seal to the port of entry into the U.S. 

NOTE: For shipments under this protocol that are entering Canada from Alaska, 

the Canadian Border Services Agency will apply a Canadian seal to the truck, and 

receive a license for transit by fax from the CFIA office at Dawson Creek, British 

Columbia. The inspection by CFIA will take place at the pre-approved rest 

location. Seal numbers will be documented on the CFIA license to transport 

documents, for reconciliation (as applicable, this reconciliation may be deferred to 

a final destination; see section III.C below). 

III. VS Procedures when re-entering the U.S. 

A. Arriving at a standard approved port staffed by both CBP and VS: 

1. VS will respond to notifications by CBP that a shipment traveling under this 

protocol has arrived, and will verify that CFIA seals are intact. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

7

a. If the seals are not intact, the port veterinarian will notify the Area Office, 

who will forward the information to the VS Regional Import/Export 

Coordinator. The shipment must be held until a resolution is worked out. 

b. If CFIA seals are intact, the port veterinarian will break the seals, verify 

by inspection that the animals correspond to the official ID information 

provided, and determine whether animals are fit for further travel to the 

final destination. If these criteria are met, the shipment may be released. 

 

c. VS port staff will generate a completed VS Form 17-30, with ‘Intra- or 

Interstate Shipment of Non-bovine Ruminants Transiting Canada’ listed 

in the ‘Remarks’ section. 

d. VS personnel will fax confirmations of the seal numbers and individual 

animal ID reconciliations back to CFIA at: Western Area Office, 

Attention: Area Import Specialist, 403-292-6629

B. Arriving at a specially approved port (i.e., a port specially designated for the reentry of the shipment and not normally staffed by VS): 

1. By prior arrangement, VS personnel will meet the shipment at the specially 

approved port to verify that the CFIA seals are intact and conduct an 

inspection per section III.A.1 above. 

2. Alternatively, by prior arrangement, VS will notify CBP of the anticipated 

arrival of a shipment that will not be met by VS at the port and will provide 

CBP with the APHIS permit number and CFIA import permit number of the 

shipment. CBP personnel will verify that the conveyance is sealed with 

CFIA seals and is accompanied by the APHIS and CFIA permits before 

allowing the shipment to continue to the destination premises. Conveyances 

with CFIA seals that are missing, broken, or otherwise tampered with, or that 

are not accompanied by both the APHIS and CFIA permits, will be refused 

entry by CBP. 

C. Deferred inspections: for shipments handled under section III.B.2 above, VS 

personnel (or other personnel, as designated on the APHIS permit) will meet the 

shipment at the destination premises to verify that the CFIA seals are intact. 

Animals may not be offloaded prior to this verification. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

8

1. The inspecting VS veterinarian (or other personnel, as designated on the 

APHIS permit) will break the intact CFIA seals on the trucks to unload the 

animals. 

2. The inspecting VS veterinarian will check each animal's identification to 

ensure that no additional animals were included in the shipment and that all 

animals are of U.S. origin. 

 

3. If a VS veterinarian is not meeting the shipment at the destination, then other 

personnel as designated on the APHIS permit will perform steps 1 and 2 

above. Such personnel must immediately notify the VS Area Veterinarianin-Charge in whose Area the destination premises are located of any 

conveyances arriving with CFIA seals that are missing, broken or visibly 

tampered with. The AVIC, in consultation with state animal health officials, 

will arrange for the quarantine of the shipment (at the destination premises or 

another location determined by VS and state authorities) until a resolution 

can be reached. 

4. The animals will be inspected by a VS veterinarian either at the time of 

arrival at the destination premises or at a later time. 

5. For shipments that meet the above criteria for release, the inspecting VS 

veterinarian will generate a completed VS Form 17-30, with ‘Intra- or 

Interstate Shipment of Non-bovine Ruminants Transiting Canada’ listed in 

the ‘Remarks’ section. 

6. VS personnel (or other personnel, as designated on the APHIS permit) will 

fax confirmations of the seal numbers and individual animal ID 

reconciliations back to CFIA at: Western Area Office, Attention: Area 

Import Specialist, 403-292-6629

7. The seals that were removed will be maintained in the possession of a/the 

person designated on the APHIS permit to remove them, pending release of 

the shipment or until any issues delaying release are resolved. 

IV. Animals Refused Entry 

A. Entry may be refused by VS if: 

1. Seals are missing, broken, appear to have been tampered with, or were not 

recorded on the Canadian license. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT 

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPMENTS BY LAND OF U.S.-ORIGIN 

NON-BOVINE RUMINANT ANIMALS FROM ONE POINT IN THE U.S. 

TO ANOTHER POINT IN THE U.S THROUGH CANADA 

9

2. Dead animals, sick animals, or injured animals are found on the 

conveyance upon presentation at the port of re-entry. Individual animals or 

the entire shipment may be refused entry at the discretion of the inspecting 

VS veterinarian. 

B. For animals refused re-entry by VS, one of the following options may be used: 

1. Contacting the shipper/exporter and, for interstate transits, the VS Area 

Office in the sending state, to discuss a possible return to the premises of 

origin. [The VS Area Office in the sending state will also contact state 

animal health authorities as part of this process.] 

2. If agreed by the sending or receiving party, transporting under seal directly 

to an APHIS-approved establishment in the U.S. for immediate slaughter. 

3. For cases involving humane issues, euthanasia and APHIS-prescribed 

disposal of the animals by incineration, landfill or other means. 

C. If any of the situations under section IV.A above (or other actionable 

scenarios) arise while the shipment is in Canada, CFIA will contact APHIS 

and a determination will be made as to how to proceed. Barring emergency 

interventions, and even after the initial crisis is addressed, intact seals will be 

verified/applied and recorded, and the shipment will be directed by CFIA to 

either proceed forward or return to the U.S. via the shortest or most prudent 

route. 

 

V. User Fees 

A. APHIS VS will charge applicable user fees for the services it provides under this 

protocol for shipments leaving and re-entering the U.S. [NOTE: The fee for 

processing the APHIS permit application is a fee separate from the fees for other 

services provided by APHIS VS.] User fees related to the shipment’s movement 

must be paid prior to or at the time of service, depending on payment 

arrangements approved in advance by APHIS VS. 

B. CFIA will separately charge applicable user fees for the services it provides. The 

importer must arrange for payment of CFIA fees directly to CFIA.